Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Sat. Nov. 14th

11am-9pm, Mission Street Block Party

from Fair Oaks Pharmacy to City Hall

South Pasadena

FREE

Merchants to hold special open houses and hand out goody bags and discounts. Event to include strolling musicians and artists.

1-4pm, Fluxus Brentwood Opens

11677 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 109

Los Angeles

FREE

Meet head designer Jeffrey Sebelia, winner of Season 3 Project Runway and receive a 25% discount. Music and refreshments included.

Sun. Nov. 15th

9am-5pm, Eastside Metro Extension Grand Opening Party

East LA

FREE rides (for the Gold Line only)

Eight new metro rail stations from Downtown to East LA open at once, each featuring its own party! To include Chicano rock, Mariachi music, tasty food booths, local artisans, karaoke, and more.

12:30-5pm, National Bundt Day

Kiss My Bundt

8104 W. 3rd St.

Los Angeles

FREE

Sample slices of yummy cake, and get 15% off all purchases by mentioning YELP.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Oct. 23rd

5-7pm, FREE Pumpkin FroYo at Cefiore

Click here for participating locations.

Sat. Oct. 24th

All Day, Firenze Osteria Grand Opening

4212 Lankershim Blvd.

North Hollywood

I was fortunate enough to check out Fabio Viviani's (of Top Chef fame) new restaurant during last night's media preview. The complimentary risotto alla salsiccia e funghi (sausage and mushroom risotto) and malfatti burro e salvia (spinach and ricotta dumplings) - made specially for my vegetarian date - were delish...as was the red wine. Great date spot if you don't mind the TV at the bar.

7am-3pm, LF Warehouse Sale

5333 McConnell Ave.

Los Angeles

80-90% off. I go every year. So should you.

11am-1pm, The Charm of Korean Cuisine

Korean Cultural Center

5505 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles

FREE

Renowned Korean food expert and director of The Institute of Korean Food, Sook-Ja Yoon, will be giving a lecture and workshop on the nutritional value and taste of Korean cuisine followed by a tasting of a variety of delectable dishes.

Sun. Oct. 25th

9am-2:30pm, Toyota Farm to Table Tour

Brentwood Farmers' Market

FREE

The best local chefs will prepare complimentary tastings featuring fare from their favorite farmers.

2-6pm, Bedrocktoberfest

Echo Park

FREE

Celebrate the opening of 8 state-of-the-art hourly music studios with an afternoon of music, food and their own brewery’s beer. Expect surprise guests, sneak peeks, and full access to recording studios.

6pm, High on Mackenzie

Book Soup

8818 Sunset Blvd.

West Hollywood

FREE

Mackenzie Phillips presents and signs High on Arrival.

Sat. Oct. 24th - Sun. Oct. 25th

11am-6pm, Brewery Art Walk

2100 N. Main St. Unit A10

Downtown

FREE

A biannual weekend at the world's largest art complex. Over 100 participating resident artists and the opportunity to purchase works directly from them at studio prices.

Thanks to FWJ readers Michael and Ami for the suggestion.

Taste This Thursday

Thurs. Oct. 1st

11am-1pm

Mrs. Fields locations

FREE chocolate chip cookies in celebration of National Cookie Month.

5:30-9:30pm, Taste of Downtown Burbank

On San Fernando between Magnolia & Orange Grove

To benefit the local YMCA scholarship fund, downtown Burbank’s restaurants will serve samples of their best recipes. Combined with live music and a beer garden, what could go wrong?

Click here to order tickets.

Track the Truckers

Finally, a website to track all those darn food trucks that park outside my building. Thanks to LAist for the discovery (and for our office's soon to be smelly bathroom).

Dine L-Yay!

Wed. Sept. 23rd - Thurs. Sept. 24th

Enjoy two progressive dinners, featuring 7 dineLA restaurants over a 2 day period. Each dinner is limited to 40 people, so be sure to snag tickets now. Between the Downtown and Santa Monica options, the SM one (Whist, Anisette Brasserie, and The Dining Room) is the most FWJ friendly at $39 a head.

Thanks to Food GPS for the find.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Sept. 11th - Sun. Sept. 13th

10am-6pm, Larchmont Sidewalk Sale. Need I say more?

Sat. Sept. 12th

9:30-11am, Huntington's Yoga Series

The Huntington Library and Gardens

1151 Oxford Ave.

San Marino

$25

Enjoy a yoga class in one of the most beautiful settings in LA an hour before the public can gain entry. Garden locations will vary every week (such as the lilly pond). Advanced registration necessary, so call 626.405.2100 to reserve a space.

5-8pm, Pizza Fusion Grand Opening

2901 Ocean Park Blvd.

Santa Monica

Enjoy food samplings from their organic menu of pizza, sandwiches, and salads, as well as FREE organic beer and live music!

Sun. Sept. 13th

7pm, Mean Girls Screening

W Hotel WET Pool

930 Hilgard Ave.

Westwood

FREE

Every week through Sept. 27th, they will be screening a film (The Duchess and Major League to follow). One of the last movies of the series.

Big Opening

Thurs. Sept. 10th

7-11pm, Big Man Bakes Grand Opening

413 S. Main St.

If you plan on attending the Downtown Art Walk (to check out local talent like Robert Vargas), stop by Big Man Bakes and enjoy FREE cupcakes!

Leggo My Discount!

Mon. Aug. 24th

The Waffle

6255 W. Sunset Blvd.

To celebrate National Waffle Day, this awesome Hollywood restaurant will be offering 25% off all its waffles.

Little Free Croissant

Little Next Door

8164 W. 3rd St.

Stop by between 8-9am through Aug. 31st, and snag a FREE croissant.

Bigfoot's Buns

Thurs. Aug. 13th, 7-11pm

Bigfoot Lodge West

Culver City

Some Asian wieners may be small, but at least these are tasty!

Show up between the listed hours and sample AsiaDog's Eastern-inspired hot dog menu. The owners are in town for one day only to test out their fast food hybrid. I've got my eyes set on the Ito (Japanese curry and homemade kimchi apples topping). Hope to see you there!

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. Aug. 7th

2-3pm, FREE Peet's Coffee

It's time for another Freddo...this time a coffee one!  What better way to get energized for the remainder of your work week?

5:30pm, Wax Unveiling

Madame Tussaud's

6933 Hollywood Blvd.

FREE

Quentin Tarantino attends the unveiling of his own wax figure.  You are invited to watch, but try not to melt.

Sat. Aug. 8th

10am-4pm, Designer Tag Sale

2500 Grandview Ave.

Venice

$10 admission fee (cash only)

With prices as low as $5, this huge high end interior designer yard sale is certainly worth checking out (especially for me now that I've moved).  Gift bags for the first 30 attendees.  I know I'll be one of them!

12-8pm, Korean BBQ Festival

(cook off to start at 5pm)

3223 6th St.

For $10-$15 a plate, you can sample all food from the competition, which is set to feature ten local Korean restaurants.

2-7pm, Fred Segal Makeover Party

8118 Melrose Ave.

West Hollywood

RSVP to rsvp@caromarketing.com and reserve an appointment for a courtesy makeover (to be followed by styling tips, a fashion shoot, cocktails, and in store discounts).  Thx to Caroline on Crack for the find.  Maybe I'll see you there.

3-5pm, Gourmet Ding Dong Tasting

Essential Chocolate Desserts

10868 Washington Blvd.

Culver City

$10

Not into Korean food?  No worries.  Another tasting event today - this one on the sweeter side. For a minimal fee, you can feast on up to 10 gourmet ding dongs.  Flavors range from white chocolate raspberry & banana peanut butter to espresso & carrot cake.  Call 310.287.0699 to reserve a spot.

9:15pm, Syesha Mercado Performance

City Walk

If you aren't too full from the BBQ and ding dong death wish, or all shopped out at the interior design yard sale and Fred Segal, check out this former American Idol.  I know I'll be wiped from today, but if anyone's voice can pick me up, it's hers!

Free in the Box

2 FREE tacos at Jack in the Box today.  Click here to print the coupon.

National Hot Dog Month

Tues. July 14th, 5-8pm

Wienerschnitzel locations

Once again, to honor National Hot Dog Month, this chain will be giving out FREE original chili dogs and ice cream.

Taste of Farmers Market

Tues. July 14th, 5-9pm

To celebrate 75 years of all things Farmers Market, you can sample food from all 36 restaurants for the price of $20.  Five dollars more will include 2 drinks.  To purchase tickets to the event, click here.

Jaydi's Weekend Jems

Fri. June 26

5pm-9pm, FREE Pinkberry

Normally overpriced, this awesome chain will be launching 2 new flavors: coconut and passion fruit (or the "tropical swirl" if you mix them together). To celebrate, show up between the hours listed and receive a small cup at 

no charge! Also, if you are feeling adventurous, try it with this season's Bing cherries.

6:30pm, Dance Downtown

Music Center Plaza

135 N. Grand Ave.

Salsa your way through International Latin Ballroom night.

Sat. June 27th

10am-6pm, Venice Eco Fest

Winward Ave. & Ocean Front Walk

Venice Beach

This celebration of art, music, and dance will incorporate organic treats and green technology to "raise awareness about our ecosystem."

1pm, Ashley Tisdale concert

The Grove

189 The Grove Dr.

Arrive early for this FREE performance.  Thx to LA Freebee for the heads up!

7:30pm, East of Eden

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Feeling bad? Through and through bad?

This outdoor screening is technically FREE, but $10 donations are encouraged. The film starts at 9pm, but get there early with lounge chairs and picnic supplies to claim your spot. I'm so excited this summer treat is back!

Sun. June 28th

10am-7pm, FREE Spray Tans

Sunset Tan

Click here for participating locations.  No purchase necessary!

11am-4pm, FREE Burgers, Fries, and Shakes

Ruby's Shake Shack

23000 Pacific Coast Highway

at the Malibu Pier

Enjoy guacamole burgers and malibu mud pie shakes (amongst other delicious items) in honor of their grand opening!!!

12-3pm, Milo Ventimiglia Signing

Collector's Paradise

7131 Winnetka Ave.

Canoga Park

Issue #1 of the comic book Berserker to be signed by the Heroes star himself.

Sun. June 28th - Tues. June 30th

Got what it takes to be the next American Idol? Then check out Season 9 auditions at the Rose Bowl (1001 Rose Bowl Dr. in Pasadena) during these dates. The front of the line is at Gate F, and they will not be charging for parking. Click here for more information.

Good Deal on a Stick

Head to the Westside Pavillion tomorrow from 5-8pm for a FREE Hot Dog on a Stick (in celebration of 60 years in business)!

This Weekend: Battlestar Bake Sale

Fri. June 12th

Dance Downtown...is back!

Music Center

135 N. Grand Ave.

This week try your luck at International Standard Ballroom.

Fri. June 12th, Sat. June 13th

Top Chef: The Tour

Farmer's Market at The Grove

Hosea and Fabio will be whipping up their signature dishes, as well as offering tips and selling Top Chef merchandise. Although admission is FREE, tickets are sold out; however, you can still get in by showing up early (space will be reserved on a first come, first served basis).

Sat. June 13th

7pm, The Music of Battlestar Galactica

California Plaza

Downtown

FREE

Composer Bear McCreary conducts a live performance of his BSG score. Frakin' sweet!

Sun. June 14th

2-6pm, The No Cookie Left Behind Bake Sale

Scoops Gelato

712 N. Heliotrope Dr.

East Hollywood

Help eradicate world hunger by attending one of the most anticipated bake sales this year. Participating bakeries include: CakeMonkey, Kiss My Bundt, Taste, and more!

Fri. June 12th - Sun. June 14th

8pm, FreakShow Deluxe

$20

Been wanting to attend The Magic Castle (7001 Franklin Ave.), but were unsure how to get on the guest list? Simply email thomas@freakshowdeluxe.com with the names of everyone in your party, and you will be able to explore all that TMC has to offer by only paying the entrance fee (no dinner reservations necessary). Thx to Yelp!

Fri. June 12th - Sun. June 14th

LGBT Pride

intersection of Santa Monica & San Vicente Blvds

Free - $20, depending on event

From the Dyke March to partying on the Paramount Studios backlot, this weekend promises to celebrate all things LGBT and Proposition Hate.

Quit Loafing Around

and stop by participating Panera Bread locations today to receive FREE samples of new products like frozen lemonade and strawberry poppyseed salad.

Free Furniture? Not Quite.

This holiday weekend, have FREE food at Ikea while taking advantage of their spectacular offers on furniture.  And don't worry...you won't have to build your own breakfast.

Just Kill Me Right Now. With More Food.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

June 1st-8th, Old Pasadena is hosting their own version of Restaurant Week. 3-course lunches will be $15 while dinners are $25.

That week (since I know you all care sooo much) you will probably find me at:

- Cafe Bizou

- Equator Restaurant & Bar

- Heritage Wine Co.

- La Grande Orange Cafe

- POP Champagne & Dessert Bar

- Spitfire Saloon

- Twin Palms